Earlier this week I reported that Gannett was planning to lay off between 1,000 and 2,000 employees over the weekend. Although that's only 3% of the workforce, I predicted that the Republic would see about double that percentage. That's because USA Today is going to be spared and the Republic is Gannett's next largest paper. Add to that the depth of the meltdown in Arizona and factor in that the Citizen is already gone and it's easy to get to a figure of a 6% or 7% lay off for the Republic.
Sure enough, newsroom employees were informed today that they would be facing a 7% lay off and that employees would be receiving calls on Monday night. That's about 150 employees.
No one knows who the employees will be, but Gannett has a history of ruthlessly culling out the more senior (read more expensive) employees first--well, they say that life begins at 50, but I'm not sure this is what they mean.
Once again we're happy that people are going to lose their jobs. Whoopee. Too bad so sad for those evil liberal newspaper types who write your sports page.
It's really just an exercise in thumbsucking. With an attitude and a vengeance.
A Republican governor and the Republican legislative leadership are locked in a battle to the death, and it's getting nastier every minute. They had six months to avoid this. They couldn't. They had to pull an old fashioned college all nighter to produce a budget. Vetoed. Sorry I turned it in late, professor. A Republican controlled state government in a total freefall collapse. Ouch. That's gotta hurt.
But it's okay. People at the Republic are losing their jobs. Whoopee.
Posted by: Cappuccino in Chief | July 03, 2009 at 02:51 PM
I nominate Linda Valdez.
Posted by: Steve | July 03, 2009 at 04:58 PM
These job losses will be added to the 467K lost in June. Those who are pink-slipped will join the 14.7 million who are already unemployed. The job loss rate now puts us back to 2000.
As CIC noted, too bad sad.
Posted by: ron | July 03, 2009 at 05:03 PM
Not sure that you read the same post I did, Cappy, but Greg played it straight. Gannett's removing 150 employees from the Republic; they have a history of dumping senior employees; they're going to be calling employees Monday night.
What are you, anyway; a Gannett Co. manager?
Posted by: Marizco | July 03, 2009 at 07:39 PM
Cappmeister~ It seems you've only been paying attention to the State House in the last few days, they've been working hard on this since, Nappy left office. Brewer is throwing a temper tantrum saying $4 1/2 Billion on education isn't enough so she wants to take more money from Arizonians. So every time I want to buy groceries I will (according to her) have to pay $9.50 in TAX very time I buy $100 worth of groceries...Along with the $2.69 in gas I used to get there...Maybe we do have to spend more on education JUST SO WE CAN TEACH THE GOVERNOR SOME MATH SKILLS!
I'm sick and tired of giving my money to a government that says they can't educate my kid(even though she's getting strait A's), what this really means is ASU and U of A want to build a new office building or give a $100 mill to a professor to count cactus during a full moon. ENOUGH already! It's people like you who never do more than watch a 10 sec blip on Channel 12 News or only read the head lines from the Republic and don't know what the heck your talking about that got us a Governor who wrote rubber checks for 6 years. When I don't have money to go to the Movies I stay home...and I don't spend the money...Maybe Jan should STAY HOME NEXT ELECTION!
Posted by: col.smeag | July 04, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Colonel,
The state does not tax food and there is no proposal from anyone (that I know of) to do so.
Posted by: Simon says: | July 04, 2009 at 12:57 PM
col.smeag -
1. The state doesn't charge sales tax on groceries.
2. University building is done through financing and money from lottery.
3. Research at the universities is not funded from state money.
HTH
Posted by: todd | July 04, 2009 at 01:00 PM
HMMMMMMMM,
1. I never said food...and BTW it depends on what you buy...
2. Correct me if I'm wrong but the State Government runs the lottery so it's still state money.
3. OK maybe I was wrong about the research...however pay for the professors who don't spend time in the class rooms are, they leave teaching up to Student Teachers instead of doing it themselves.
You liberals and RHINO's can try to make all the excuses you want. The fact of the matter is that for 6 years spending was out of control and then pile a recession on top and it's a big mess. Taxing instead of cutting is not the answer. Here's an example:
You buy a new car, runs great, you borrow $5000 just paint the car a different color two weeks later, except when you borrowed the extra $5k you lost your job the same day you got the check. So you get the car painted anyway, 3 months later you have no job the car runs great your behind on your payments to both the 1st lender and the 2nd lender.
Moral of the story was "THERE"S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR" it's the person budgeting the money, spending the money and borrowing the money that is the problem.
Our schools could be doing a great job teaching kids, the State government could be doing a great job running the state on the money that the House and Senate budgeted.
Excuse don't solve problems people do and the Governor isn't solving problems she's gong to make it worse.
Posted by: col.smeag | July 05, 2009 at 03:50 AM
col.smeag
OK. Groceries imply food, but whatever. I am just offering facts not "excuses."
Posted by: todd | July 05, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Once again, no one can comment on Greg's blog in defense of anything newspapery without being accused of working for the newspapers in question. Can't anybody have an opinion without being a concerned party? Guess not.
Posted by: Jay | July 05, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Jay = Jon Talton
Posted by: The Grim Reaper | July 05, 2009 at 06:12 PM
Sure you can have an opinion that's what freedom of speech is all about, however others get to have an opinion on your opinion ...it's one of those circle of life things.
And Todd it's not a fact if it's wrong.
Posted by: col.smeag | July 05, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Sorry Todd let me expand on my reply to you ... Everyone pays sales tax... there is no magical list of non taxed items... if you go to the store and buy something there's a 99% chance you will be taxed and then some Bureaucrat will spend it like a double down night at the casino. Really when will enough be enough and for those who say they want to pay more your allowed to send a check anytime you want...but you don't.
Posted by: col.smeag | July 05, 2009 at 11:42 PM
Actually there is a list of non-taxed items. I don't know how magical it is, but here goes:
Common Sales Tax Exemptions on Purchases of: Professional or personal services (if not as part of the purchase of tangible personal property)
Tangible personal property purchased for resale Warranty or service contracts (if not required as part of the purchase of tangible personal property, and listed separately in the invoice)
Prescription drugs, certain medical equipment, prostheses, insulin, prescription eyeglasses, and hearing aids Printed and other media materials purchased by publicly-funded libraries in Arizona, and made available to the public (materials not available to public are not exempt; equipment is not exempt either)
Internet access and cable services Custom computer software (pre-written software and pre-written software update are taxable)
Conference fees Professional membership dues Machinery and equipment used in research and development
Chemicals used in research and development
Food for (human) home consumption
Freight or shipping if separately stated on the invoice
Others as set forth in ARS ยง42-5061.
Posted by: barb850 | July 06, 2009 at 12:35 PM
The title of this post caught my eye because it rings so true...but I think that's the worst part about possibly getting layed off is not knowing when that phone call might come in from a number you obviously know on the caller id is not the one you want to see...
I personally can't even get a part time job now because everyone wants to hire the cheaper labor around here. I got to much experience in the field and out to be flippin burgers...I would rather starve...
Posted by: Change | July 06, 2009 at 11:20 PM
barb850,
"...Food for (human) home consumption..."
Thanks for the list barb, however my point was when you buy a shopping cart of "food, household items, toiletries...etc" you pay tax. Even some food items are tax. Try this go to the store buy a case of bottle water and a 12 pack of soda(which is food per the FDA) and see if you get taxed. Buy a roll of toilet paper...buy a gallon of gas it's all taxed things we use and buy every day gets taxed on top of your income. We are one of the few states that has an income tax AND a state sales tax...8.05 -8.5 % depending on where you purchase. The Governor wants another 1% so you will almost be paying $10 for every $100 you spend. The more government takes your money the less you have of it ...in a recession
that's bad it's fuzzy math.
BTW good luck in the job hunt Change I know it's rough out there keep at it.
Posted by: col.smeag | July 07, 2009 at 01:02 AM